Baseball at the 1959 Pan American Games
Encyclopedia
The 1959 Pan American Games were the first Pan American Games
held in the USA and the third ever. They were held at Wrigley Field
in Chicago, IL from August 27 through September 7. They were the only Pan Am Games (through 2008) won by Venezuela.
went 6-1 to claim the title. Jose Flores led the event with 3 triples while a M. Perez was 2-0 on the mound, as was 18-year-old Luis Penalver, about to embark on a 19-year minor league career, mostly in AAA.
won Silver, thanks to a 5-1 record. Irmo Figueroa led the competition in average (.500) while Carlos Pizarro had the most hits (12). R. Vazquez led in RBI (10) and tied for the home run lead with 2.
won Bronze at 4-3; their 3-2 win over Cuba helped them lock up the Medal. An A. Hall, presumably Alan Hall, tied for the homer lead with two. Charles Davis had the best ERA (0.69). Future Hall-of-Famer Lou Brock
was 1 for 10.
had a very disappointing tourney, going 2-4 and failing to take a medal, a contrast with the upcoming Fidel Castro
era teams that won 10 Pan Am Games Gold Medals in a row. Urbano Gonzalez hit .353 and Pedro Chavez was 5 for 9.
was 5th at 3-2. Roberto Coto led the event with 5 doubles. Mauro Ruiz went 2-0, the only non-Venezuelan to post that record.
had one of their best events ever, going 3-3 to finish 6th. They were followed by (7th, 2-4) and (8th, 2-3). pulled up the rear, losing all six of their games.
Pan American Games
The Pan-American or Pan American Games are a major event in the Americas featuring summer and formerly winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Pan American Games are the second largest multi-sport event after the Summer Olympics...
held in the USA and the third ever. They were held at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales...
in Chicago, IL from August 27 through September 7. They were the only Pan Am Games (through 2008) won by Venezuela.
went 6-1 to claim the title. Jose Flores led the event with 3 triples while a M. Perez was 2-0 on the mound, as was 18-year-old Luis Penalver, about to embark on a 19-year minor league career, mostly in AAA.
won Silver, thanks to a 5-1 record. Irmo Figueroa led the competition in average (.500) while Carlos Pizarro had the most hits (12). R. Vazquez led in RBI (10) and tied for the home run lead with 2.
won Bronze at 4-3; their 3-2 win over Cuba helped them lock up the Medal. An A. Hall, presumably Alan Hall, tied for the homer lead with two. Charles Davis had the best ERA (0.69). Future Hall-of-Famer Lou Brock
Lou Brock
Louis Clark "Lou" Brock is an American former professional baseball player. He began his Major League Baseball career with the Chicago Cubs but, spent the majority of his career as the left fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals. Brock was best known for breaking Ty Cobb's all-time major league...
was 1 for 10.
had a very disappointing tourney, going 2-4 and failing to take a medal, a contrast with the upcoming Fidel Castro
Fidel Castro
Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz is a Cuban revolutionary and politician, having held the position of Prime Minister of Cuba from 1959 to 1976, and then President from 1976 to 2008. He also served as the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba from the party's foundation in 1961 until 2011...
era teams that won 10 Pan Am Games Gold Medals in a row. Urbano Gonzalez hit .353 and Pedro Chavez was 5 for 9.
was 5th at 3-2. Roberto Coto led the event with 5 doubles. Mauro Ruiz went 2-0, the only non-Venezuelan to post that record.
had one of their best events ever, going 3-3 to finish 6th. They were followed by (7th, 2-4) and (8th, 2-3). pulled up the rear, losing all six of their games.
Final standing
| Place | Team |
|---|---|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
| 4 | |
| 5 | |
| 6 | |
| 7 | |
| 8 | |
| 9 | |